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Electromagnetic Airwaves
Heinrich Hertz tested James Clerk Maxwell's theory, hypothesized in a University of Cambridge paper, and successfully discovered electromagnetic waves using Maxwell's equations(American Experience, PBS, 2019)
American Experience, PBS. (2019, September 23). The Development of Radio. American Experience | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/rescue-development-radio/ -
Wireless Telegraph
In 1895, Guglielmo Marconi was the first to send wireless signals across Italy. With Marconi's invention, ships were able to communicate with one another on existing cables (Courses, 2020). Courses, G. (2020a). From Radio to Television: The History of Electronic Communication. Wondrium Daily. https://www.wondriumdaily.com/radio-television-history-of-electronic-communication/ -
The First Voice Broadcast
Previously, the wireless broadcast was limited to the telegraph. With the help of Reginald Fessenden, the first voice broadcast was transmitted to an unknown operator on Christmas Eve, creating the foundation for commercial voice broadcast (American Experience, PBS, 2019). American Experience, PBS. (2019, September 23). The Development of Radio.
American Experience | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/rescue-development-radio/ -
Major Players in Broadcasting
Radio broadcasting became a hit in the 1920s as commercially-made receivers were introduced. In Pittsburgh Westinghouse station, the first commercial broadcast was created called KDKA. Companies such as RCA, Westinghouse, General Electric, and AT&T began sponsoring radio stations with voice programming and music (Ruben, 2010). -
The Radio Act of 1927
The Radio Act of 1927 created the Federal Radio Commission that reduced the chaos of radio interferences and licensed broadcasters(Radio Act of 1927, n.d.). The act also increased the government's ability to regulate radio communications (Radio Act of 1927, n.d.). Radio Act of 1927. (n.d.). The First Amendment Encyclopedia. https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1091/radio-act-of-1927#:~:text=The%20act%20created%20the%20Federal,of%20earlier%20wireless%20radio%20acts. -
The Golden Age of Radio
Despite a lull in radio due to The Great Depression, the Golden Age of radio was in full swing by 1931(Ruben, 2010). Anyone from mothers to isolated rural residents could listen to the radio and experience dramas, news, and music. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt held his "Fireside Chats" on Sunday evenings, turning radio into a political platform (Ruben, 2010). -
The Federal Communications Commission
The FCC established regulations on broadcasting regarding advertising and obscenities. As a result of attempting to improve radio reception, the radio industry consolidated into a few major corporations (History of Commercial Radio, n.d.). History of Commercial Radio. (n.d.). Federal Communications Commission. https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/history-of-commercial-radio -
Creation of the Big Three
Major broadcasting companies NBC and CBS began as forms of radio broadcasting until the FCC allowed commercial broadcasting in 1941. NBC then created the sister network ABC (“Big Three Television Networks,” 2022). These three broadcasting companies would be known as The Big Three and dominate television broadcasting (“Big Three Television Networks,” 2022). Big Three Television Networks. (2022a). encyclopedia.pub. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/37584 -
The Introduction of Commercial Television
In 1949, viewers could choose between two 15-minute newscasts on NBC and shows like Howdy Doody and the Texaco Star Theater. As of 1946, the US homes had 6,000 televisions which numbers rose to 12 million by 1951. History of Television - Mitchell Stephens. (n.d.). https://stephens.hosting.nyu.edu/History%20of%20Television%20page.html -
Radio Shows Transition to Golden Age Television
Many of the popular radio dramas successfully transferred to television. Some of these iconic shows were I love Lucy in 1951, The Adventures of Superman in 1952, Dragnet in 1951, and Gunsmoke. (9 Classic TV Shows That Started Out as Radio Programs, n.d.). 9 classic TV shows that started out as radio programs. (n.d.). Me-TV Network. https://www.metv.com/lists/9-classic-tv-shows-that-started-out-as-radio-programs
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